Afghan blamed for 9 American deaths 'acted alone'

WASHINGTON -- An Air Force investigation has found that an Afghan military officer "acted alone" when he killed eight American airmen and one American contractor last year.

Investigators concluded that Afghan Maj. Gen. Ahmed Gul simply set out to "kill Americans" when he went on a shooting rampage at the Kabul airport military training center on April 27.

Without warning, Gul opened fire with a 9mm automatic pistol in a meeting room crowded with Air Force instructors and Afghan military students, killing the nine Americans. Before killing himself with his own weapon, Gul wrote the words, "Allah is one" and "Allah in your name" in blood on a stairwell wall.

Despite those writings, the report did not find that Gul was an Islamic radical, either working with or influenced by the Taliban. Instead, the investigation found that Gul apparently suffered mental issues that were further compounded by financial problems.

Those killed in the incident include:

Maj. Phillip D. Ambard, 44, of Edmonds Wash.

Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn, 41, of Gadsden, Ala.

Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Auburn, Mass.

Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Deltona, Fla.

Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr., 37, of Knoxville, Tenn.

Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, 40, of New Haven Conn.

Capt. Nathan J. Nylander, 35, of Hockley, Texas

Maj. Charles A. Ransom, 31, of Midlothian, Va.

Ret. U.S. Army Lt. Col. James McLaughlin Jr., 55, of Santa Rosa, Calif.